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40
 

 
THE RAMAYANA
 

 
तच्च राजन् धनुर्दिव्यं मध्ये भग्नं महात्मना ।

रामेण हि महावीर यज्ञान्ते जनसंसदि ॥

अस्मै देया मया सीता वीर्येयंशुल्का महात्मने ।

प्रतिज्ञां तर्तुमिच्छामि तदनुज्ञातुमर्हसि ॥
 

 
O king of great valour, that divine bow

has been broken in the middle by the high-

souled Rama, in the presence of people at

the close of the sacrifice.
 

 
To him, the high-souled Rama, have I

to give Sita as the bride whose price is

heroism. I desire to fulfil my promise.

Pray, give your consent."
 

 
दूतवाक्यं तु तच्छ्रुत्वा राजा परमहर्षितः ।

गत्वा चतुरहं मार्गं विदेहानभ्युपेयिवान् ॥
 

 
And, hearing those words of the heralds,

the king, highly delighted, reached the

Videha country, after accomplishing four

days' journey.
 

 
ततो राजानमासाद्य वृद्धं दशरथं नृपम् ।

उवाच च नरश्रेष्ठो नरश्रेष्ठं मुदाऽन्वितः ॥
 

 
Approaching the old King Dasaratha,

best of men, Janaka, best of men, said

with joy :